Propositions for Cognitive Support of E-Collaboration

Abstract

Recent research has proposed that groupware performance may be affected by two factors, the strongest of which is the fit between the task and the groupware structures selected for use. We suggest that the link is deeper; there needs to be a fit between the task and the group’s cognitive structures as mapped to the groupware structures. In this paper we address this shortcoming by integrating recent theories of cognition (distributed cognition, transactive memory and template theory) from the perspective of electronic collaboration. We refine the concept of cognitive fit as applied to group work and offer propositions for further study. We show that template core data are used during situation assessment and that slot data refine response selection. Finally, we propose several techniques by which the group cognitive effort can be minimized, thereby leaving more capacity for the collective task. This approach is especially applicable to naturalistic group decision situations.